Baked Beans from Hungry Healthy Happy
Today I have the pleasure of bringing you Baked Beans from Hungry Healthy Happy by Danni Martin!
I have a pet hate and it is the term “diet” as in the context “I’m on a diet”. In my opinion “diets” don’t work because as someone who has watched people go on and come off diets it just seems to lead to a constant state of yo-yoing.
A healthy diet, treats in moderation and keeping active are not rocket science but to date this concept hasn’t been marketable idea. Until now that is, step up Dannii Martin from the top, award winning food blog Hungry Healthy Happy with her new book of the same name. Finally a book has been published about eating lighter healthy meals without it seeming like a chore or having to rush out and buy a heap of expensive “super foods”.
The book is full of classic dishes like Moussaka, Fish Pie, salad dressings and smoothies as well as Dannii’s own original dishes. The common thread to all of them is that they have been made healthier and lighter in calories using a few alternative ingredients eg yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
Dannii’s healthy eating journey started in her mid-twenties when she realised her excess weight was making her health suffer. Living off store bought meals and takeaways she needed to change and set about creating her favourite meals from scratch using lighter alternatives.
Dannii limited herself to 1,500 calories a day in the early days and together with regular exercise, lost 2lb a week (a sensible amount to lose). In total Dannii lost 98lbs and has continued to maintain a healthy weight. The beauty of Dannii’s recipes is that you may well end up eating more food but taking in less calories as the recipes are packed with fibre and nutrients so you will feel full and less likely to crave unhealthy food.
There is no preaching in this book, Hungry Healthy Happy is all about setting your own goals (if you need to lose weight) and listening to your own body. I think the trouble with fad diets is that people are in a constant cycle of guilt and deprivation and if they feel they have broken their diet they feel depressed and if they feel depressed then they are more likely to want to comfort eat.
The first few pages of Hungry Healthy Happy are dedicated to Dannii’s story, tips about weight loss, motivation, exercise, ways of eating well for less, essential store cupboard ingredients and a meal planner.
When I flicked through the book the first recipe that caught my hubby’s eye was for Baked Beans so I made these for our lunch. I have to say that they were totally delicious and I’m not sure I’ll ever want to eat an ordinary can of baked beans again! So this is the recipe I have chosen to share with you and I do urge you to make it, you won’t be disappointed!
My next planned makes are for the Courgette Fritters (above) and the Pear Crisp (below) and oh so many more!
I would recommend this book to anyone regardless of whether they wish to lose weight as we should all eat a healthy diet, the recipes just ooze deliciousness from every page. As it says on the cover “How to nourish your body without giving up the food you love”!
Here’s my attempt at Danni’s Baked Beans, I didn’t use any Barbecue Sauce and they were just delicious!
NB: Recipe and images extracted from Hungry Healthy Happy by Dannii Martin, photography by Jacqui Melville. Published by Jacqui Small (£20). All opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this review.
Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 400 g/14 oz tin chopped tomatoes
- 100 ml /3½ fl oz/scant ½ cup vegetable stock
- 1 tsp runny honey
- 1 400 g/14 oz tin haricot beans
- 2 tbsp barbecue sauce see page 113, optional
Instructions
- Place a pan over a medium heat and heat the oil, add the onion and
- cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned.
- Add the tomatoes, stock and honey to the pan, season to taste and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Drain the haricot beans and add to the pan, giving everything a stir to combine, and cook gently for another 5 minutes.
- Take off the heat and stir in the barbecue sauce, if using. Spoon the
- beans over toast and serve warm.
Amy Fidler
My go to lunch dish x
A S,Edinburgh
Making baked beans from scratch is another thing on my to-try list that I haven’t got to yet. This recipe looks lovely, and really simple. The addition of the honey is a great idea!
Camilla
They were fab:-)
Paul Wilson
I’d love to try my own baked beans recipe.
Maya Russell
Ordinary baked beans are just so samey and boring. This recipe is different and looks delicious.
Camilla
They are fab Maya:-)
Margaret Gallagher
Wow this looks amazing
Don’t need to diet but I certainly agree with eating healthily and fresh produce where possible
Heather Haigh
I love home cooked beans and those look and sound delicious.
Hannah
These look absolutley delicious how can I go back to the old canned style now! Thank you for sharing I will be looking this book up I think it’s right up my street
Camilla
Great Hannah, it’s definitely a great book:-)
Molly Kumar
This looks like such a perfect breakfast or s snack recipe. I love baked beans n totally loving the combination of honey with new sauce that you have used.
Nicole Neverman
These homemade baked beans sound delicious! I love baked beans but I’ve never actually made my own! I should definitely try this! Sounds like a really great cookbook too 🙂
Camilla
You really should try them Nicole and yes the book is fabulous:-)
Laura H
Ooh I’d love to try making these myself – baked beans are one of my absolute favourites! (I’m a simple girl…)
Camilla
I love simple food;-)
Nayna Kanabar
Lovely and tasty, nothing beats home made baked beans.
Camilla
I have found this out now:-)
Rachel
This book is on my to download list, I am so impressed Dannii has her own book x
Camilla
She has done very well:-)
Fashion and Style Police
These pictures are amazing. I am loving the recipe as well. Looks yummy.
Fashion and Style Police
Lovely pictures here. I will try these with the kids. Looks yummy and healthy.
Camilla
Yes the book is full of fabulous pictures:-)
Rhian Westbury
I’ve never really been a fan of baked beans but I totally agree that 2lb is a healthy amount to lose each week x
Camilla
There are plenty of other yummy recipes I’m sure you’d love:-)
Mark, Compass & Fork
This takes me back to my childhood days, except in those days it was out of a can. House made baked beans, so good!
Camilla
They really are Mark:-)
Florian @ContentednessCooking
Looks amazing, great review!
Florian @ContentednessCooking
Fantastic book! Great recipe!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
You can never go wrong with beans on toast! Thanks for sharing this!!
Camilla
Exactly Sam:-)
Mandi
The children love beans on toast but I always worry about exactly what is in the can, they would eat them every day given a choice, so this looks like a recipe to try out on them all.
Camilla
There’s a lot more sugar in the form of fructose-glucose syrup in the can in my cupboard!
StressedMum
I have never tried making my own baked beans before, they sound delicious and much nicer than tinned ones, am going to have to try thees
Camilla
They are so much fresher tasting than the tinned version, enjoy:-)
Claire
I’ve never thought about making my own baked beans, this looks like a great recipe 🙂 I will definitely try it 🙂
Camilla
Great Claire, I’m sure you’ll love them:-)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Can’t wait to get stuck into Dannii’s book once I’m back from my trip, love simple healthy recipes like this 🙂
Camilla
Yes something to look forward to Becca:-)
Angela Webster | Cosmic Kick
These beans sound yummy! I love baked beans but have always gone for the tinned versions. I’ll have to try my own one day 🙂
Camilla
You will Angela, just pick up a tin of Haricot beans the next time you’re out shopping and you’re half way there:-)
Helen Clark
I’m slowly changing my diet to be healthier and cleaner so this book seems like it would be great for me. The baked beans look delicious!
Camilla
Yes this book would be ideal for you Helen:-)
Natasha Mairs
I am trying to lose weight, but I love my food. I am not cutting out things I love, like chocolate, just eating less of it and making my portions slightly smaller
Camilla
Good for you Natasha;-)
Emma White
I am anorexic – recovering but still struggle daily with food, I can only eat light foods and small amounts so this sounds like something that could be beneficial to me – the word diet scares me as you can imagine
Camilla
So sorry to hear that Emma but very glad you are recovering!I’m sure you have had advice from your doctor regarding diet so wouldn’t like to pass comment on what was suitable for you.
shobha
Sounds good.. will make them.I usually buy the canned ones but home made are any time better.
Camilla
Fab Shobha:-)
nazima
an ingenious book, so beautifully done and perfect for normal everyday people. Loving the baked beans recipe – I made some myself this week, delicious!
Camilla
I’m willing my avocados to ripen now so that I can make the chocolate mousse:-)
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat
This is the second recipe I’ve been introduced to this week from Dannii Martin’s book. I guess I have to buy it! 🙂 These baked beans look awesome by the way. My husband just looked over my shoulder and commented how good they look! 🙂
Camilla
You really should buy the book Sherri, so many fab healthy and delicious recipes to explore:-) Another bean loving hubby!
Kavey
Excellent review, Camilla. It’s great to see one of our friends create such a great book, and as you say, present a healthy way of eating that isn’t gimmicky or derivational.
Camilla
Yes I’m so proud of Danni, I’m sure this is just the beginning for her, sky’s the limit!
AiPing | Curious Nut
That baked beans on that toast…. Oh, god. I want that…. like now! 🙂
Camilla
I can’t recommend them more highly:-)
Mayuri Patel
It certainly very admirable the way Danii has lost so much weight. Its all about life style change. Taking it step by step as she advises. Love the above recipe … home made baked beans, yummy. No more those extra sweet baked beans from the tin.
Camilla
It really is incredible Mayuri:-)
Cathy @ Planet Veggie
Now I want some beans on toast, this looks yum!
Camilla
I don’t blame you:-)
Victoria Prince
They look delicious! I love the sound of this book, I don’t need to lose weight but I like to eat healthily and, as you say, I really struggle to find recipes to my taste that don’t involve a lot of expensive and/or complicated ingredients. This sounds like the perfect solution!
Camilla
Great Victoria, yes there’s nothing worse than looking at a nice recipe and then seeing that it’s full of obscure or expensive ingredients!
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
I am really enjoying Dannii’s book and do like her approach of not giving up the foods you love. Makes sticking to the diet so easy as you do not feel deprived.
Camilla
It is fab, so much to try:-)
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Thanks so much for the review Camilla – I am glad you enjoyed the beans 🙂
They freeze really well too, if you want to make a batch of them.
Camilla
Thanks Dannii that’s a really good idea. I’ve promised the children to make these for them at the weekend as they were very eager to try:-)